Governor's attorneys argue court can't force her to call special election

[RandySF]

Attorneys for Governor Gretchen Whitmer Thursday slapped back against a lawsuit seeking to compel her to call a special election to fill a vacant state senate seat.

The state senate seat representing parts of Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties has been empty since January. Governor Whitmer has said she plans to call a special election, but to date she hasn’t.

Earlier this month, residents in the 35th district filed a lawsuit in the Michigan Court of Claims, asking the court to compel the governor to call an election to fill the seat.

But in the governor’s response to the lawsuit, Whitmer’s attorneys argue the Court of Claims does not have the authority to compel the Governor to act.



https://www.michiganpublic.org/politics-government/2025-08-28/governors-attorneys-argue-court-cant-force-her-to-call-special-election